Bengals v. Lions Game Thread

[WMR]

Henry, Ohalete out
By GEOFF HOBSON
December 18, 2005

DETROIT - The Bengals tried to nail down their first AFC North title here Sunday at Ford Field on a day that began with head coach Marvin Lewis making one of those decisive decisions that has marked his three-year run at turning around the franchise.

Lewis deactivated rookie wide receiver Chris Henry against the Lions in the first game since Henry’s arrest on a possession of marijuana charge early Thursday morning. Also down because of injury is strong safety Ifeanyi Ohalete (ribs), giving Anthony Mitchell his first start in 25 games as a Bengal. Also out is defensive tackle Matthias Askew as Lewis chose to counter the absence of injured Carl Powell (neck) with rookie Jonathan Fanene.

Kelley Washington, inactive for the last five games, took Henry’s spot as one of the five receivers as the NFL’s fourth-ranked offense tried not to miss a beat against the struggling Lions. The Bengals came into the game winners of five of their last six and three in a row in racking up their first 10-win season since 1988, but with Pittsburgh holding a 10-3 halftime lead in Minnesota it looked like the Bengals needed to win Sunday to take home their first title since 1990.

The Bengals came into their first game at Ford with a seven-game winning streak over the NFC that features victories this year over Minnesota, Chicago and Green Bay. They picked off each of those teams five times for 15 of their NFL-leading 27 interceptions.

[wheels]

Looks like Kevin Walter has a chance to step up today.

Heck, give Tab Perry a couple of looks as well.

Here's a thought I've had about Perry, and hopefully someone will give me some feedback:

Wonder if he'd make a good tight end?

He's 6'3, which is pretty average for that position, and 215 pounds are in the Jeremy Shockey/Todd range.

Just a thought.

Another question: What are some of you guys gonna do for a celebration?
I'm not even sure that I would know how to react to a division championship.

Maybe we should all get cyber drunk today.

[WMR]

I think they already do utilize Perry in a somewhat TE sort of fashion b/c he is oft-times put in the slot as another receiver, but your point is definitely very valid IMO. He's such a versatile player... probably the biggest reason they'd want to keep him primarily at RB is b/c he's such a good change-of-pace running-back when compared to what Rudi provides.

As for celebrating, if we clinch today I'll still be forced to wait until Tuesday after my last exam. I plan on having a "good time" after that last exam anyway, but if the Bengals clinch.... AHHH!! It will be doubly sweet! :)

[OldRightHander]

Maybe we should all get cyber drunk today.

:beerme: :all_cohol

[Reds Fanatic]

Bengals off to a quick 10-0 start on a Graham FG and Palmer TD pass to Washington. In other news the Colts lost their first game of the year.

[Cedric]

I think they already do utilize Perry in a somewhat TE sort of fashion b/c he is oft-times put in the slot as another receiver, but your point is definitely very valid IMO. He's such a versatile player... probably the biggest reason they'd want to keep him primarily at RB is b/c he's such a good change-of-pace running-back when compared to what Rudi provides.

As for celebrating, if we clinch today I'll still be forced to wait until Tuesday after my last exam. I plan on having a "good time" after that last exam anyway, but if the Bengals clinch.... AHHH!! It will be doubly sweet! :)

He's speaking on Tab Perry. And watching Tab Perry try and block all day would make my head hurt.

[ghettochild]

anyone know if the orangeout worked?

[Reds Fanatic]

Another Lions turnover leads to a Palmer to Chad Johnson TD pass. 17-0 Bengals still in the 1st quarter.

[Reds Fanatic]

anyone know if the orangeout worked?
They showed a few Lions fans in orange and black t shirts with Fire Matt Millen on the front of the shirt.

[Northern Dancer]

Whoa. 17-0 for Cinci already. This could get ugl(ier) for Detroit.

[MrCinatit]

now i know how fans for the other team felt the last 15 years.

[reds44]

Gotta love Chad

[OnBaseMachine]

I'm not a NFL fan, but even I have become interested in this Bengals team. Carson Palmer being the main reason. Carson should be the MVP.

I would love to see Cincy win the Super Bowl.

[Reds Fanatic]

Lions score on a Garcia TD pass. 17-7 Bengals early in the 2nd quarter.

[Reds Fanatic]

Palmer's 3rd TD pass of the day makes it 24-7 Bengals.

[Caveat Emperor]

Palmer's 3rd TD pass of the day makes it 24-7 Bengals.

The meteoric rise of Carson Palmer into an elite NFL QB (possibly second only to Peyton Manning now) is something absolutely special.

Enjoy what you're watching here in Cincinnati, because it is a true treat.

[Northern Dancer]

Well that was an entertaining first half. I'll have seconds, if you please. :p:

[wheels]

I think they already do utilize Perry in a somewhat TE sort of fashion b/c he is oft-times put in the slot as another receiver, but your point is definitely very valid IMO. He's such a versatile player... probably the biggest reason they'd want to keep him primarily at RB is b/c he's such a good change-of-pace running-back when compared to what Rudi provides.

As for celebrating, if we clinch today I'll still be forced to wait until Tuesday after my last exam. I plan on having a "good time" after that last exam anyway, but if the Bengals clinch.... AHHH!! It will be doubly sweet! :)

I was actually talking about Tab Perry, not Chris Perry.:mooner:

[CTA513]

Hopefully Palmer is a little more careful with the ball in the 2nd half.

[Northern Dancer]

Hopefully Palmer is a little more careful with the ball in the 2nd half.
Yeah, five interceptions in the game already (Garcia-3, Palmer-2)

[Reds Fanatic]

Rudi Johnson scores to make it 31-7 Bengals.

[Reds Fanatic]

Rudi scores his 2nd TD to make it 38-10 Bengals.

[paintmered]

A few more minutes and Cincy clinches the division and a home playoff game.

Whodey indeed.

[paintmered]

38-17 and this game has entered garbage time.

Kitna in there to mop it up.

[Reds Fanatic]

Graham's FG makes it 41-17 Bengals with less than 2 minutes left.

[MrCinatit]

a huge HUGE congrats to the Bengals - especially to Mr. Lewis, if it were not for he, this would be impossible.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bengals win 41-17 to clinch their first division title in 15 years!!!!

[alex trevino]

Bengals to be at Paul Brown Stadum around 10:45 PM. Come down and welcome home the 2005 AFC Noth Champions!

[WMR]

I was actually talking about Tab Perry, not Chris Perry.:mooner:

Ack, my bad!

[WVRed]

In honor of the Orange Out-

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Gallery19/Bengals/300lionsXBengals.jpg

[Johnny Footstool]

The meteoric rise of Carson Palmer into an elite NFL QB (possibly second only to Peyton Manning now) is something absolutely special.

Credit Marvin Lewis, the Bengals coaching staff, and especially Jon Kitna for developing Carson's talent without rushing him. He had the tools, but those guys really honed his abilities. After the bungling of David Klingler and Akili Smith, it's refreshing to see the Bengals actually draft and develop a QB.